5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 20

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Today is President's Day, a national holiday that began in 1800 and falls on President George Washington's birth date. It no longer honors just Washington, but also Abraham Lincoln, as well as the lives of all of the U.S. presidents, according to History.com.

2. A reminder: Milford schools are out for the week, so be on the look out for children where you normally may not see them during the work day.

3. Gas prices are on the rise, nationally and locally. According to the Boston Globe, at an average of $3.53 a gallon, prices in Massachusetts are already up 25 cents since Jan. 1, and are expected to continue to climb. The least expensive gas in Milford on Monday was at Gasco, selling for $3.60 a gallon.

4. On Tuesday, the Milford Planning Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposal to allow Walden Woods to drop an over-55 age restriction on sale of some of its units, in exchange for completing the Milford Upper Charles Trail. The hearing begins at 7:05 p.m.

5. Milford has local elections coming up soon. A contested race exists for what is arguably the most important local seat: a spot on the Board of Selectmen. What would you want the candidates, Michael Denice and Dino DeBartolomeis, to consider? Pose a question and Milford Patch will ask them.